My father,
like most males of his generation existed in that secret
realm where young sons seldom gain access. Our interactions consisted
mainly of evening meals, chores on Saturday and church on Sunday. There
were bouts of scouting and organized sport; but even here the lines
were clearly drawn between adults and their charges. Our first real
point of bonding was established over that classic American cocktail
the “Old Fashioned.”

Having grown up in
a jurisdiction where the legal age for alcohol
consumption was eighteen, I was also able to support my social habits
by working the other side of the bar. So even before I considered the
benefits and rigors of collegiate life – I attended a well respected
bartending school in New York City. It was here that I acquired the
knowledge and skills to become the go to guy whenever my dad required
his favorite bourbon elixir.

This is the way both my dad and I enjoyed
our Old Fashioned:

1) Place one slice of orange and two maraschino cherries in the
bottom of a rocks or old fashioned glass.
2) Over the fruit sprinkle a half teaspoon of sugar and 3-4
dashes of bitters.
3) Vigorously muddle the contents and then fill the glass with
ice.
4) Fill the glass halfway with club soda.
5) Top off with 1 – 2 ounces of your favorite bourbon.
6) Give a slow gentle stir and garnish with a fresh slice of
orange.

Variations on the theme: There are
those that rail against the use of
club soda in this cocktail. I have tried it with and without, and I
have come to the conclusion that the soda imparts a unique and quite
pleasant characteristic to the drink.

Rye may be
substituted for bourbon, and if you have an inclination to go offshore
– Scotch whisky might just be the ticket.